France has plunged deeper into political turmoil as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resigned on Monday — less than a month after assuming office — marking the shortest tenure for a prime minister in modern French history.
The Elysée Palace confirmed the development in a brief statement, saying:
“Mr. Sébastien Lecornu has submitted the resignation of his government to the President of the Republic, which he accepted.”
Lecornu’s abrupt departure adds to the ongoing political crisis that has gripped France since President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to call snap legislative elections in 2024, which resulted in a hung parliament and an unstable governing majority.
According to reports, the resignation was triggered by backlash from the right-wing Republicans (LR), who strongly opposed the new cabinet lineup announced Sunday. Their withdrawal of support effectively crippled Lecornu’s government, making his position untenable.
Following the announcement, the Paris stock market slipped, with the CAC 40 index dropping by over 2 percent around 0800 GMT, reflecting investor uncertainty about France’s political direction.
Macron Faces Growing Pressure
President Macron now faces mounting pressure to chart a path forward. Despite calls for another round of legislative elections, he has so far ruled out both fresh polls and his own resignation before the end of his term in 2027.
Political observers say France could be heading toward a decisive moment in the 2027 presidential elections, where far-right leader Marine Le Pen and her National Rally (RN) party are positioning themselves for a historic breakthrough.
RN leader Jordan Bardella declared on Monday:
“In the coming weeks there will be new legislative polls. The RN will obviously be ready to govern.”
Lecornu’s Short-Lived Tenure
Appointed on September 9, Lecornu — a loyal Macron ally and former defence minister — had been tasked with stabilizing a divided parliament and securing approval for an austerity budget. However, his largely unchanged cabinet drew heavy criticism from across the political spectrum.
Right-wing party vice president François-Xavier Bellamy said his party would not give Macron’s team “a final lap,” signaling a breakdown in cooperation.
The cabinet reshuffle saw former finance minister Bruno Le Maire appointed as defence minister, a move that further fueled discontent within the coalition.
Lecornu’s resignation follows the earlier dismissals of François Bayrou and Michel Barnier, both of whom clashed with lawmakers over the government’s spending plan.
Mounting Fiscal Challenges
France’s public debt has reached record levels, with the country now holding the third-highest debt-to-GDP ratio in the European Union, behind only Greece and Italy. At nearly twice the EU’s 60 percent threshold, the fiscal strain has made it increasingly difficult for Macron’s government to maintain credibility.
Lecornu had vowed to return parliamentary voting rights on the budget after three years of bypassing the legislature using constitutional powers — but his departure casts new doubt on that promise.
